JPH1181120A - Fiber structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a fiber structure, excellent in processability in its production line, and showing excellent properties, e.g. down-like bulkiness, softness and resistance to settling. SOLUTION: This fiber structure is obtained by dispersing and mixing (A) 50 to 95 wt.% of highly hollow polyester fibers having a single fiber fineness of 0.1 to 17.0 deniers, hollowness of 40 to 85% in the cross section, number of crimps of 5 to 300/25m, crimping rate of 8 to 50%, silk factor of 15 to 25, crystallinity of 20% or more, and crystallite size of 4 nm or more in the (010) plane, and (B) 50 to 5 wt.% of heat-fusible fibers, and fusing the heat-fusible fibers to join these fibers A and B, at least partly.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a fibrous structure comprising high-hollow polyester fiber and heat-adhesive fiber and having excellent properties such as bulkiness, flexibility and sag resistance.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, quilting clothing and futons for cold weather,
Bedding such as pillows has been prized for its waterfowl feathers because it is lightweight, bulky, flexible, soft, fits well and is warm. However, in recent years, from the viewpoint of environmental protection and animal welfare, the supply of feathers tends to decrease, and development of alternative materials has been demanded.

In order to respond to such a demand, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 52-28426 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 52-50308 propose a method of applying a silicone-based treating agent to the fiber surface. Certainly, according to these methods, although the flexibility is slightly improved, the bulkiness is still insufficient, the feeling is completely different from that of feathers, and the compression recovery is extremely insufficient.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-20625 proposes a method of spinning fine fibers having an irregular cross section by high-speed spinning, and applying a treating agent having a low friction coefficient to the fiber surface. Certainly, according to this method, it is possible to obtain a material having an extremely soft feel, good flexibility, and characteristics similar to feathers. However, such microfibers have a poor card passage property when forming a web with a roller card and cannot be spread sufficiently, and even if the fiber can be spread, the coefficient of friction between the fibers is low. Therefore, the fiber entanglement treatment cannot be sufficiently performed, and a special cotton-making machine is required. In addition, the obtained web has many spots and neps, and has insufficient bulkiness, and has a problem that the bulk is significantly reduced and heavy when used for a long time.

[0005] On the other hand, as a method for eliminating low bulkiness and a feeling of weight, many methods using hollow fibers have been conventionally proposed. Certainly, it is considered that the bulkiness is improved by increasing the hollow ratio. However, in actuality, when the hollow ratio is 40% or more, the pressing step in the production of raw cotton, for example, the compression by a pressing roller At the time, there is a problem that the hollow portion is crushed and flattened due to the case where the raw cotton is bale-packed and compressed and held during the crimping process by the indentation crimping machine, and the hollowing effect is lost.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made on the background of the above-mentioned prior art, and has as its object to provide excellent workability from raw cotton to a fibrous structure, as well as excellent bulkiness and softness like feathers. An object of the present invention is to provide a fiber structure having both properties and sag resistance.

[0007]

According to the study of the present inventors, even in the case of high hollow polyester fiber, if the fiber microstructure is specific, the hollow portion is hardly crushed. Further, even if the hollow portion is crushed, it can be easily returned to the original shape.Furthermore, the object of the present invention can be achieved by dispersing and mixing a heat-adhesive fiber in such a fiber and performing a heat bonding treatment. And arrived at the present invention.

[0008] That is, according to the present invention, "the single fiber fineness is 0.1 to 8.0 denier, the fiber cross section hollowness is 40 to
85%, number of crimps 5 to 30/25 mm, crimp rate 8 to
50%, silk factor 15-25, crystallinity 2
0% or more, 50-95% by weight of a high hollow polyester fiber (A) having a (010) plane crystal size of 4 nm or more;
A fibrous structure in which 50 to 5% by weight of a heat-adhesive fiber (B) is dispersed and mixed, wherein at least a part of the constituent fibers is joined by fusing the heat-adhesive fiber. Fiber structure. Is provided.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail. The polyester constituting the high hollow polyester fiber used in the present invention is an ethylene terephthalate-based homopolyester having ethylene terephthalate as a main repeating unit, a copolyester or a polyester obtained by mixing a third component with these polyesters. Are preferably polyesters in which 90 mol% or more of the units are ethylene terephthalate units, and homopolyethylene terephthalate is most preferable. As a copolymerizable component which can be copolymerized in 10 mol or less, an aromatic dicarboxylic acid such as isophthalic acid, 5-sodium sulfoisophthalic acid, diphenyldicarboxylic acid, and naphthalenedicarboxylic acid as an acid component;
Examples thereof include aliphatic dicarboxylic acids such as oxalic acid, adipic acid, sabacic acid, and dodecane diacid, and oxycarboxylic acids such as P-oxybenzoic acid and P-β-hydroxyethoxybenzoic acid. Aliphatic diols such as 3-propanediol, 1,6-hexanediol and neopentyl glycol, aromatic diols such as 1,4-bis (β-hydroxyethoxy) benzene, and polys such as polyethylen glycol and polybutylene glycol Alkylene glycol and the like can be mentioned. These third components may be copolymerized singly or two or more thereof may be simultaneously copolymerized. The polymerization degree (intrinsic viscosity) of the polyester does not need to be particularly limited, but if it is too large, the process stability during spinning tends to be low, and it tends to be difficult to obtain fineness. The intrinsic viscosity IV measured at 35 ° C. in orthochlorophenol is in the range of 0.45 to 1.00, preferably 0.6 to 0.7.

The polyester may be mixed with various additives, for example, various function-imparting agents such as an antibacterial agent, a hydrophilic agent, an anti-mite agent, a deodorant, a far-infrared radiating agent, titanium dioxide, an oxidizing agent. Examples include inorganic fine particles such as silicon, zinc oxide, barium sulfate, zirconium oxide, aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide, calcium oxide, and tourmaline, which may be appropriately selected and used according to the purpose. However, when compounding the inorganic fine particles, the average particle size is 1.0 μm or less, preferably 0.1 to 0.7 μm, from the viewpoint of dispersibility in the polyester. The amount is suitably in the range from 1 to 10% by weight, especially from 2 to 7% by weight.

The high hollow fiber made of the above polyester has a single fiber fineness of 0.1 to 17.0 denier, preferably 0.2 to 3.0 denier, particularly preferably 0.5 denier.
It must be in the range of ~ 1.5 denier. If the single fiber fineness is less than 0.1 denier, it cannot be produced stably, and the hollow fiber of the obtained fiber tends to be small, so that the bulk of the fiber is low, which is not preferable. On the other hand, when it exceeds 17.0 denier, the card passing property is good, but the drape property, the heat retention property, the compact storage property and the like are undesirably reduced.

Next, the hollow ratio in the fiber cross section is 40 to 8
It needs to be in the range of 5%, preferably 50-70%. If the hollow ratio is less than 40%, the excellent feeling (drape, flexibility) and the effect of improving the bulkiness obtained by hollowing the fibers become insufficient. It is not preferable because the thickness becomes too thin, so that the hollow break easily occurs, and the resistance to the compressive stress is reduced to deteriorate the shape retention. Here, the hollow ratio is a ratio (%) of the total area of the hollow portion to the area of the figure A surrounded by the outer peripheral portion of the fiber cross section.
Say.

The number of hollow portions in the cross section of the fiber may be one or more. However, in the case of a plurality of hollow portions, it is difficult to obtain a fiber having a high hollowness and a small single fiber fineness. However, hollow crushing is unlikely to occur, and sag resistance and bulk recovery are improved. 1 to 5 are views showing an example of the cross-sectional shape of the high hollow polyester fiber used in the present invention, in which E is a hollow portion. The shape of the hollow part is arbitrary, but if it is a perfect circle, it is easy to obtain one with a high hollow ratio,
It is also preferable because the recovery characteristics of the hollow shape are good and the productivity is easy.

The shape of the fiber cross section is arbitrary, such as a circle, a triangle, a multi-leaf cross section, or a cross, and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose of use. It is desirable that the ratio Rb / Ra of the circle radius Ra to the maximum inscribed circle radius Rb be in the range of 0.65 to 0.80, since the elasticity is improved.

Further, the high hollow polyester fiber of the present invention comprises:
It is important that the silk factor (rupture strength (g / d) × elongation at break (%) ^1/2 ) be in the range of 15 to 25,
If it is less than 15, the strength and toughness are too low, and it cannot be used depending on the application. On the other hand, if it exceeds 25, it becomes difficult to obtain a high hollow fiber having a hollow ratio of 40% or more.

The number of crimps of the high hollow fiber is 5 to 35/2.
5 mm, preferably 8 to 25 pieces / 25 mm, and a crimp ratio of 8 to
It must be in the range of 50%. 5 crimps / 25m
If it is less than m, the web is liable to be cut when it is applied to a card, and the bulkiness is undesirably reduced. On the other hand, if it exceeds 30 pieces / 25 mm, web spots and neps frequently occur when the card is placed on a card, which is not preferable. When the crimp rate is less than 8%, the card passing property is deteriorated.
%, It is not preferable because web unevenness and nep tend to occur. The form of the crimp may be a zigzag mechanical crimp, a spiral or an omega three-dimensional crimp, but in the latter case, a more bulky fiber structure is obtained. preferable. The fiber length is preferably about 20 to 100 mm from the viewpoint of the stability of the carding process and the quality of the obtained web.

Further, in addition to the above-mentioned properties, the high hollow polyester fiber has a crystallinity calculated from a wide-angle X-ray diffraction photograph of not less than 20%, especially in a range of 22 to 33%.
And that the crystal size calculated from the half width of the (010) plane diffraction peak in the wide-angle X-ray diffraction photograph is 4.0 nm or more, preferably in the range of 4.0 to 9.0 nm, so that the hollow is hardly collapsed, and Once collapsed, it is essential to exhibit good hollow shape recovery performance. When the degree of crystallinity is less than 20%, the number of points at which the molecular chains are interlocked is too small, so that permanent deformation is likely to occur due to a physical external force, and the recovery characteristics of the hollow shape are unfavorably reduced. Also, (01
When the crystal size of the 0) plane is less than 4.0 nm, the force for anchoring between molecular chains is reduced to decrease the resistance to external force, and the number of crystals increases under the same crystallinity. In terms of the fiber microstructure, since the network of the network structure having microcrystals as nodes is reduced, permanent distortion is likely to occur at a stage where the distortion is small. As a result, the shape recovery performance when the hollow is crushed is undesirably reduced.

The high hollow polyester fibers described above are:
For example, the polyester as described above can be produced by a special melt spinning method as described below.
That is, the molten polyester is discharged from a spinneret provided with a spinning hole for hollow fiber production, and the discharged yarn is rapidly cooled immediately below the die and then gradually cooled, and the spinning draft is adjusted to 150 mm.
Above, preferably 150 to 500, particularly preferably 20
0 to 400 and the take-up speed is 500 to 2000 m /
It is important to draw at a rate of preferably 1000 to 1800 m / min in order to simultaneously achieve a fiber microstructure having a porosity of 40% or more and the above-mentioned crystallinity and crystal size. If the discharge yarn is gradually cooled without quenching once,
Not only can a high hollowness of 40% or more be achieved, but also the crystal size of the (010) plane in the fiber microstructure becomes small. Further, when the spinning draft is less than 150, the spinning stability is reduced, and at the same time, the (0) in the fiber microstructure is reduced.
10) The crystal size of the plane is also small, which is not preferable.
Further, when the take-off speed exceeds 2000 m / min, the crystal size of the (010) plane in the fiber microstructure increases, but it is not possible to obtain a fiber having a hollow ratio of 40% or more and simultaneously satisfying the crystal size and crystallinity, On the other hand, 500m /
If it is less than minute, the crystal size of the (010) plane is undesirably small. If the spinning draft is too large, the stretchability in the subsequent stretching tends to decrease. Therefore, it is preferable that the draft is 500 or less as described above.

In order to rapidly cool the discharged yarn, the distance from the position immediately below the spinneret to the position where the yarn is rapidly cooled is 5 to 50 m.
m, preferably 10 to 30 mm, and the temperature is 20 to 35
C. cooling air may be blown at a wind speed of 0.2 to 4.0 m / sec. By quenching under such conditions, the high hollow fiber can be spun stably. When the quenching distance of the yarn immediately below the spinneret is less than 5 mm, the spinneret is cooled and causes a thread break. If it exceeds, the cooling rate becomes insufficient and it becomes difficult to achieve a high hollow ratio. Also, with respect to the wind speed and temperature of the cooling air, an appropriate effect is exhibited by the balance between the two, but the blowing temperature is 20 to
The temperature is 35 ° C. and the wind speed is suitably in the range of 0.2 to 4.0 m / sec, and these balances are lost. For example, when cooling is too strong, the die temperature is too low and the polymer melt viscosity is too high. As a result, it becomes difficult to discharge the polymer from the mouthpiece, which is likely to cause hollow breakage and thread breakage. On the other hand, if the wind speed is too high, the yarn sway becomes intense and a cohesive yarn is easily generated, which is not desirable.

In order to cool once and then gradually cool, the rapid cooling range of the yarn immediately below the above-mentioned base is important.
It is important that the thickness is from 150 to 150 mm, preferably from 80 to 120 mm, in order to achieve a high hollowness and at the same time obtain the above-mentioned fiber structure. That is, the quenching range of the yarn is 5
If it is less than 0 mm, cooling is insufficient, so that it is difficult to achieve a hollow ratio of 40% or more, and the fiber microstructure is different. On the other hand, if it exceeds 150 mm, although the hollow ratio can be satisfied, the yarn is rapidly cooled and the slow cooling region disappears, so that the stretchability of the obtained undrawn yarn is remarkably reduced, and the fiber fine structure is different. Further, it is important that the range of the slow cooling performed after the rapid cooling is 100 to 400 mm, preferably 150 to 350 mm. If the slow cooling range is out of this range, the formation of the fiber microstructure tends to be different.

In the slow cooling range, a cooling air having a temperature of 20 to 35 ° C. is blown so as to be か ら to 1/10 of the wind speed in the quenching region. By slow cooling under such conditions,
High hollow fibers can be stably spun, and the above-mentioned fiber microstructure can be achieved. That is,
In the above-described manufacturing method, it is important that the discharged yarn is once cooled rapidly and then gradually cooled. Therefore, an appropriate effect is exerted by the balance of the blowing region length of the cooling air, the wind speed, the temperature, and the like. For example, the cooling air temperature is 20-35 ° C
In the case of the above, the wind speed is appropriate in the above range, and if the cooling air temperature is too low, the yarn tends to be overcooled, and a high hollow ratio is easily achieved, but the microstructure of the obtained fiber is different. Easy to be. On the other hand, if the cooling air temperature is too high, the cooling of the yarn is insufficient, so that a fiber having a high hollow ratio cannot be obtained, and the fiber fine structure is also different.

The thus drawn undrawn yarn is subjected to a drawing heat treatment according to the final use. For example, in hot water at a temperature of 50 to 70 ° C., drawing is performed at a draw ratio of 1.8 to 5.5 times, and when this is not heat-set, a high-shrink type hollow fiber is obtained. If the strain heat treatment is carried out, a low shrinkage type hollow fiber can be obtained. If the heat treatment is carried out once after the drawing treatment while overfilling in warm water or the like, a self-extending type hollow fiber can be obtained.

The high hollow polyester fiber described above is used for the purpose of lowering the coefficient of friction of the fiber surface to improve the card passing property, or to improve the feather-like feeling and the set resistance of the obtained fiber structure. Dimethylpolysiloxane,
A cross-linked silicone resin such as hydrogen methyl polysiloxane, amino polysiloxane, or epoxy polysiloxane may be attached. The amount of the crosslinked silicone resin to be applied is suitably 0.05 to 5.0% by weight based on the weight of the fiber. When the amount of the crosslinked silicone resin is less than 0.05% by weight, the effect of lowering the friction coefficient becomes insufficient. If it exceeds 5% by weight, the effect of lowering the friction coefficient is saturated, which is disadvantageous in cost.

The method of attaching the crosslinked silicone resin to the fiber surface is optional, and in the production of the high hollow fiber,
A method in which an undrawn yarn is immersed in a treatment agent containing a reactive silicone resin and then subjected to a drawing heat treatment. After applying a treatment agent containing an excess of the reactive silicone resin to the drawn yarn, the excess is removed by an appropriate means. And a method of applying the same to a crimped yarn, and a method of applying the same after cutting a short fiber. In either method, it is necessary to perform a sufficient heat treatment to uniformly adhere the reactive silicone resin-containing treating agent and to appropriately crosslink. As the reactive silicone resin, dimethylpolysiloxane, hydrogenmethylpolysiloxane, aminopolysiloxane, epoxypolysiloxane, or the like is preferably used alone or in combination, but is not limited thereto. Further, an appropriate amount of a dispersant may be used in order to uniformly adhere to the fiber, and a catalyst may be used in combination to rapidly perform the crosslinking reaction.

The thermoadhesive fiber, which is the other component of the fibrous structure of the present invention, is a polymer which softens or melts at a temperature lower than the melting point of the high hollow fiber polyester by 30 ° C. or more. As long as it is a component, it may be a fiber composed of the heat-adhesive component alone or a conjugate fiber composed of another fiber-forming component. And a heat-adhesive conjugate fiber with a fiber-forming component having a melting point higher than the temperature at which the heat-adhesive component softens or melts, particularly a side-by-side or core-sheath conjugate fiber.

As the heat-adhesive component, for example, a polyurethane-based or polyester-based thermoplastic elastomer can be used in addition to polyolefin, polyester, polyamide, and the like. In the case of the latter elastomer, it is soft, drapable, and heat-resistant. It is preferable because it has excellent durability and compactness.

The polyester-based heat-adhesive component preferably used is, for example, a resin having a melting point or softening point of 100 to 220.
At ℃, terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid and the like as an acid component, hexamethylene glycol, tetramethylene glycol,
(Co) polyesters having ethylene glycol or the like as a glycol component;
The crystalline copolyester containing 0 mol% or more as a terephthalic acid component, 40 mol% or less as an isophthalic acid component, and 80 mol% or more of the diol component as a hexamethylene glycol component or a tetramethylene glycol component has a heat bonding point of It is preferred because it becomes soft and the resulting fibrous structure exhibits a feathery feel and excellent drape.

[0028] The thermoadhesive component of the polyurethane thermoplastic elastomer preferably used has a molecular weight of 5
A low melting point diol such as polyether diol, polycarbonate diol and polyester diol of about 00 to 6000, an organic diisocyanate such as p, p'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, toluene diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate, and glycol,
Polyurethane-based elastomers comprising a chain extender such as amino alcohol and diamine can be exemplified. Among them, polytetramethylene glycol or poly-ε-caprolactone is a low melting point diol, p, p′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate is an organic diisocyanate, Those using tetramethylene glycol as a chain extender are preferred.

On the other hand, examples of the thermal adhesive component of the polyester-based thermoplastic elastomer include a polyetherester block copolymer obtained by copolymerizing polyester as a hard segment and polyoxyalkylene glycol as a soft segment. Among them, a polyetherester block copolymer having a polybutylene terephthalate polyester as a hard segment and polyoxytetramethylene glycol as a soft segment is particularly preferred. In this case, it is preferable that isophthalic acid is copolymerized with the acid component constituting the hard segment in an amount of 10 to 35 mol%, since the elasticity and durability can be improved without increasing the melting point. On the other hand, it is preferable that the average molecular weight of the polyoxyalkylene glycol is in the range of 800 to 4000 and the copolymerization amount is in the range of 30 to 70% by weight because the elasticity and durability of the obtained fiber structure are improved.

As the fiber-forming component to be combined with the heat-adhesive component, any polymer may be used as long as it has a melting point higher than the temperature at which the heat-adhesive component softens or melts. Examples thereof include polyamides and polyesters. Among them, polyesters, in particular, polyethylene terephthalate or polybutylene terephthalate, or a small amount of a third component such as isophthalic acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid, 5-sodium sulfoisophthalic acid, etc. The polymerized copolymerized polyester is preferable from the viewpoint of the bulkiness and sag resistance of the obtained fiber structure.

When a thermoplastic elastomer is used as a heat-adhesive component, sticking is likely to occur during spinning. Therefore, a spinning oil containing an amorphous polyetherester block copolymer is applied to the surface of the fiber to form a spinning oil. Is preferred. In addition, this improves the smoothness of the fiber and improves the card passing property, and at the same time, improves the wettability of the molten polymer during thermal bonding, greatly improving the adhesive strength, elasticity, durability, etc. The resulting fibrous structure is obtained. The attached amount of the amorphous polyetherester block copolymer is
A range of 0.02 to 5.0% by weight based on the fiber weight is suitable.

The polyetherester block copolymer preferably used includes terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid and 5-sodium sulfoisophthalic acid as an acid component, ethylene glycol as a glycol component, and polyoxyalkylene glycol (one end blocked). ) May be exemplified.

The fineness of the heat-bondable fiber is suitably in the range of 0.5 to 10 denier, preferably 1 to 5 denier.
If it is less than this range, the adhesive strength tends to be insufficient, and it tends to be difficult to obtain sufficient elasticity and durability, while if it exceeds 10 denier, the drapability and compactness of the obtained fiber structure are poor. Easy to get enough.

The number of crimps of the heat-adhesive fiber is 5 to 25/25.
mm, preferably 8 to 20 pieces / 25 mm, and the degree of crimp is 5
30%, preferably about 6 to 18% is appropriate. When the number of crimps and the degree of crimp are less than the above range, web breakage tends to occur at the time of carding, and the bulkiness of the obtained fiber structure tends to decrease. The card passing property deteriorates, and web spots and neps tend to occur frequently. The form of the crimp may be a zigzag mechanical crimp, a spiral or an omega type three-dimensional crimp,
The latter three-dimensional crimping is preferable because a fiber structure having more excellent bulkiness can be obtained. The fiber length is 10 to 100 m
m, preferably about 15 to 95 mm, is appropriate in terms of the stability of the carding process and the quality of the obtained web.

The fiber structure of the present invention forms a web by mixing and dispersing 50 to 95% by weight of the high hollow polyester fiber (A) described above and 50 to 5% by weight of the heat-adhesive fiber (B). Then, a heat treatment was performed at a temperature higher than the melting point or softening point of the thermoadhesive component and lower than the melting point of the high hollow polyester fiber, and at least a part of the constituent fibers was joined by fusion of the thermoadhesive fiber. Things. When the mixing ratio of the fiber (A) is less than 50%, the bulkiness, flexibility, sag resistance and the like become insufficient. On the other hand, if it exceeds 95% by weight, the proportion of the heat-adhesive fibers is less than 5% by weight, and the shape retention of the resulting fiber structure is undesirably reduced.

The form of the fibrous structure of the present invention is not particularly limited, and is arbitrary. However, fibrous spheres, particularly spheres having a diameter of 2 to 30 mm, can be used as a filling material having excellent bulkiness, high elasticity, sunlight recovery and the like. It is suitable. In this case, as the high hollow polyester fiber (A), a fiber to which a low friction agent such as the above-mentioned silicone resin is adhered, the obtained fiber spherical body is soft, and the feeling of feather and feather touch is easily obtained. It is preferred. Further, as the heat-adhesive fiber (B), the conjugate fiber having a polyester-based elastomer as a heat-adhesive component is
It is preferable from the viewpoints of sag resistance, soft feeling, drape property, compactness and the like of the obtained fiber spherical body.

It is preferable that a lot of high hollow polyester fiber (A) and fluff of the fiber exist on the surface of the fiber sphere, and these improve the smoothness of the fiber sphere,
The blowability of the fibrous body and the feeling of the product into which the fibrous body is blown are improved.

In order to form a fibrous spherical body, first, the high hollow polyester fiber (A) and the thermoadhesive fiber (B) are blended in a predetermined ratio, and the garnet wire is mixed so as to be uniformly mixed. With a card or the like having a plurality of rollers arranged on the surface thereof, spreading and blending are sufficiently performed to obtain a bulky cotton blend. Next, the mixed cotton mass is blown into a blower, and a turbulent agitation process is performed for a predetermined time to separate and open individual short fibers, while retaining them in a vortex of air to form spheroids. . Subsequently, heat treatment may be performed at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point or softening point of the heat-adhesive component and equal to or lower than the melting point of the polyester fiber (A) to form a heat fixation point in the fiber sphere. By doing so, a fibrous body having excellent elasticity and durability and exhibiting a good feeling can be obtained. In addition, when the high hollow polyester fiber (A) or the heat-adhesive fiber (B) has a three-dimensional crimping property, the spheroidization is further facilitated by performing a heat treatment at the time of spheroidization. preferable.

Of course, from the beginning of the spheroidizing treatment, a method of simultaneously promoting the three steps of spheroidizing the fiber, manifesting the crimp, and fusing the heat-adhesive component with hot air, When processing is performed, hot air is blown at the time when spheroidizing nuclei begin to be generated, so that crimping and fusion occur, or crimping and fusion after complete spheroidization are desired. Any method can be adopted according to

In particular, when the three-dimensional crimping property of the high hollow polyester fiber (A) is smaller than the three-dimensional crimping property of the heat-adhesive fiber (B), the fiber A is more suitable for the surface of the fibrous spherical body. When a smooth component such as a silicone resin is applied to the surface of the fiber A, the fiber sphere has excellent smoothness as a whole and is easily blown, and the resulting fiber sphere is obtained. The feeling of the blown product is also soft, which is preferable.

[0041]

The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following examples. In addition, each evaluation item in an Example was measured by the following method. <Intrinsic viscosity> It was measured at a temperature of 35 ° C using orthochlorophenol as a solvent. <Melting Point> The melting peak temperature was determined by using a Differential Scanning Calorimeter Model 1090 manufactured by DuPont at a heating rate of 20 ° C./min. If this melting peak cannot be clearly measured, a sample of about 3 g is sandwiched between two cover glasses using a trace melting point measuring device (manufactured by Yanagimoto Seisakusho), and the temperature is raised while gently pressing with tweezers. Speed 20 ℃ /
The temperature was raised in minutes and the thermal change of the polymer was observed. At that time, the temperature at which the polymer softened and began to flow (softening point) was expressed as the melting point here.

<Fineness> JIS-L1015 7-5-1
It was measured by Method A. <Hollow ratio> The cross-sectional area of the single fiber (including the hollow portion) and the area of the hollow portion were measured from the 500-fold cross-sectional image, and the area ratio was determined. <Silk factor> Cutting strength S (g / de) and cutting elongation L of fiber obtained according to JIS L1074 method
(%) Was calculated from the following equation. Silk factor = S × L ^1/2 <Crystallinity> Determined from a wide-angle X-ray diffraction image according to a standard method. <(010) plane crystal size> (01) of the wide-angle X-ray diffraction image
0) It was determined from the half value width of the plane diffraction peak according to a standard method.

<Number of Crimps / Crimp Ratio> Measured according to JIS L1074 method. <Density> Measured according to JIS L1018 method. <Thickness> Measured according to JIS L1085 method. <Btiffness> Measured according to the cantilever method described in JIS L1085. <Compression strain> Adhesive web (thickness L) obtained by thermal bonding
₀ mm), a load of 100 g / cm ² was applied thereto, left standing for 24 hours, and then the load was removed. After 24 hours, the thickness (L ₁ mm) of the adhesive web was measured and calculated by the following formula. Compression strain (%) = (L ₀ −L ₁ ) / L ₀ × 100

Examples 1 to 12 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 Production of High Hollow Polyester Fiber (A) Titanium oxide containing 0.07% by weight and having an intrinsic viscosity of 0.6
4 polyethylene terephthalate and 2 hollow nozzles
From a spinneret having 2,000 holes, a polymer temperature of 268
C. and extruded at a spinning speed of 1800 m / min to obtain a hollow undrawn yarn. At this time, the quenching condition immediately below the mouthpiece hollow die was such that the cooling air blowing position was 15 mm and the cooling air blowing length was 10 mm.
0 mm, the cooling air temperature was 25 ° C., the cooling air velocity was 3.0 m / sec, and the spinning draft was 400 times. The slow cooling conditions following the rapid cooling were a cooling air blowing length of 250 mm, a cooling air temperature of 25 ° C., and a cooling air velocity of 0.5 m / sec.

The obtained hollow undrawn yarn was drawn at a temperature of 65 ° C. and a draw ratio of 3.5 times with hot water in one step, and subjected to a tension heat treatment with a heating roller at 180 ° C. to obtain a high hollow polyester fiber. And then heat-set with hot air at 120 ° C., and cut to a fiber length of 51 mm to obtain short fibers. The single fiber fineness and the hollow ratio were changed as shown in Table 1 by changing the discharge amount and the shape of the spinneret.

Production of heat-adhesive fiber (B) Intrinsic viscosity 1 consisting of terephthalic acid / isophthalic acid (molar ratio 85/15) / tetramethylene glycol / polyoxytetramethylene glycol (molecular weight 2000: copolymerization amount 55% by weight) .3, a thermoplastic elastomer having a melting point of 172 ° C. and polybutylene terephthalate were mixed with 26 holes so that the former became a sheath component, and the area ratio became 50/50.
Extrude from the 0-hole composite spinneret, take-off speed 100
It was pulled at 0 m / min to obtain an undrawn yarn. This undrawn yarn is stretched 2.8 times in warm water at 90 ° C., and a mechanical crimp having a number of crimps of 9 pieces / 25 mm and a crimp rate of 17% is applied by a press crimping machine. After drying, a heat-bondable fiber 1 having a single fiber fineness of 2.0 denier and a fiber length of 51 mm was obtained.

Polyethylene (melting point: 120) was prepared in the same manner except that the spinning conditions (drawing speed, drawing temperature, etc.) were slightly changed.
~ 130 ° C, density 0.95 g / cm ³ , melt flow rate 20) / polyethylene terephthalate (melting point 260
° C, intrinsic viscosity 0.64), and a copolyester (terephthalic acid / diethylene glycol / tetramethylene glycol (weight ratio 85/1)
5): Thermal adhesive fiber 3 composed of 0.56 intrinsic viscosity, 135 ° C. melting point / polyethylene terephthalate was obtained. Each of them has a composite area ratio of 50/50, a single fiber fineness of 2.0 denier, a fiber length of 51 mm, a number of crimps of 15/25 mm for the heat-adhesive fiber 2 and a 1 for the heat-adhesive fiber 3.
3 pieces / 25 mm, the crimp rate was 13% for the heat-adhesive fiber 2 and 13% for the heat-adhesive fiber 3.

The high-hollow polyester fiber produced above and the heat-adhesive fiber 1-3 are mixed at a mixing weight ratio of 70/30, which is opened with a roller card to form a web, which is laminated. A nonwoven fabric having a basis weight of about 30 g / m ² was obtained. Next, the nonwoven fabric is placed in a hot air circulating drier at 150 ° C. for 2 hours.
After that, the heat-bondable fiber was partially fused to the high hollow polyester fiber to obtain a fibrous structure. Table 1 shows the results.

[0049]

[Table 1]

[0050]

As described above, the fiber structure of the present invention has a hollow ratio of 40 to 85%. Since it is difficult and can be easily recovered even if hollow crushing occurs, it has excellent bulkiness, flexibility, sag resistance and the like. In addition, the high hollowness provides an excellent lightweight heat insulation effect. In addition, even if the single fiber fineness is small, it uses high hollow polyester fiber which is excellent in card permeability, etc., and by combining it with smoothing the fiber surface, it has the same characteristics as natural feathers. A fibrous structure having the same can be obtained.

The fiber structure of the present invention can be suitably used as a wadding for beddings such as quilted clothing for winterization, comforters and pillows by taking advantage of these properties. It is also useful as a structure. Furthermore, when the fiber structure is a spherical body, it has excellent blowing characteristics, so it has excellent bulkiness, rich elasticity, soft feeling, and excellent compression durability,
It is particularly useful as a batting object such as a futon.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing an example of a cross-sectional shape of a high hollow polyester fiber (A) used in the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing another example of the cross-sectional shape of the high hollow polyester fiber (A) used in the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view showing another example of the cross-sectional shape of the high hollow polyester fiber (A) used in the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view showing another example of the cross-sectional shape of the high hollow polyester fiber (A) used in the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view showing another example of the cross-sectional shape of the high hollow polyester fiber (A) used in the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 E hollow part

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A single fiber fineness of 0.1 to 17.0 denier, a hollow fiber cross section of 40 to 85%, and a number of crimps of 5 to 3
0/25 mm, high hollow polyester fiber (A) having a crimp rate of 8 to 50%, a silk factor of 15 to 25, a crystallinity of 20% or more, and a (010) plane crystal size of 4 nm or more. 95% by weight and heat-bondable fiber (B) 50
-5% by weight of the fiber structure, wherein at least a part of the constituent fibers is joined by fusion of the heat-adhesive fibers. 2. The fiber structure according to claim 1, wherein the high hollow polyester fiber (A) has a plurality of hollow portions in a cross section of the fiber. 3. The heat-adhesive fiber has at least a heat-adhesive component which softens or melts at a temperature lower by 30 ° C. or more than the melting point of the polyester constituting the high hollow polyester fiber. The fibrous structure according to claim 1, wherein the fibrous structure is a conjugate fiber with a fiber-forming component having a melting point higher than a softening or melting temperature. 4. The fiber structure according to claim 3, wherein the heat-adhesive component is a thermoplastic elastomer, and the fiber-forming component is polyethylene terephthalate or polybutylene terephthalate.